Invasive plants
Buckthorn, garlic mustard and others
Many upland invasive species inhabit Minnetonka’s natural areas. Below are some of the most problematic invasives in the west metro area, including those we are working to control in “active restoration” park areas. You will find links to various fact sheets, articles, and links that provide information on the ecological threat of the species, identification and control information. If you can’t find the species you are looking for, take a look at the information available under additional invasive species.
Woody invasive plants
Herbaceous invasive plants
- Garlic mustard (biennial)
- Garlic mustard fact sheet (PDF)
- Garlic mustard workshop presentation (PDF) by Minnetonka Natural Resource Specialist, Janet Van Sloun Larson
- Motherwort (perennial)
- Burdock (biennial)
- Curly dock (biennial)
- Thistles
- Leafy spurge (perennial)
- Spotted knapweed (biennial)
- Queen Ann’s Lace (biennial)
- Wild parsnip (short-lived perennial)
- Purple loosestrife (wetland perennial)
Additional invasive species
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: invasive non-native terrestrial plants
- An identification guide for resource managers
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- List of plants in Wisconsin known to be invasive or potentially invasive; includes fact sheets, literature reviews and photo gallery.
- Invasive Plant Atlas
- Database of plants invading natural areas of the U.S. Extensive lists with photos and maps. Fact sheets are available for some plants.
- The Nature Conservancy’s wildland invasive species program archives
- Many categories to choose from including galleries, control methods and links.
- Minnesota’s Forest Invaders
- MN Sustainable Forestry Initiative
